NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cabinet
approves Indian Space Policy 2023: The Union
Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Indian Space
Policy, 2023. Under this policy roles and responsibilities of ISRO,
NewSpace India Limited, and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization
Center (IN-SPACe) have been laid down. It enables the ISRO to channelize its
focus on research and development of advanced space technologies. This policy
would increase the participation of private players in the space sector. ISRO
Chairman: S Somanath
2. Cabinet
approves revised domestic gas pricing guidelines: The
CCEA has approved the revised domestic natural gas pricing
guidelines for gas produced from nomination fields of ONGC/OIL, New
Exploration Licensing Policy blocks, and pre-NELP blocks. The price of natural
gas shall be 10% of the monthly average of Indian Crude Basket and
shall be notified on a monthly basis. For the gas produced by ONGC & OIL
from their nomination blocks, the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) price
shall be subject to a floor and a ceiling.
3. Telangana's
Kanti Velugu programme screens 1 crore for eye problems: A flagship initiative of Telangana government to prevent controllable
blindness, 'Kanti Velugu program', has achieved a milestone by
screening 1 crore people for eye problems. The second phase of the programme
started on 19th January and will continue till 15th June. Health staff is
screening all individuals over 18 years old at Kanti Velugu camps set up in all
Gram Panchayats in the State. A total of 1,500 teams are working towards
creating a Guinness World Record.
4. Centre
declares Tripura best state in NE for e-procurement: Tripura has been given the best state award in
the northeastern region by the Centre for the successful
implementation of e-procurement. To maintain transparency, the state
has made it mandatory to go for e procurement if the value of
any government purchase or contract goes beyond Rs 25,000. The total value
of payments made through e-procurement and Government eMarketplace (GeM)
portals increased from Rs 4,451 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 7441 crore in 2021-22.
5. Tamil
Nadu CM inaugurates IIT Madras initiative: The Tamil
Nadu CM, M K Stalin has inaugurated the Indian Institute of
Technology Madras’ (IIT-M) initiative which connects one lakh government
school students to electronic devices. This outreach programme on STEM, which
is part of the ‘Anaivarukkum IITM’ (IITM for all) initiative, aims to
connect one lakh rural Tamil Nadu students. The CM also distributed electronic
kits to government school students which were developed by IIT Madras.
6. ‘Mircha’ rice of Bihar’s West Champaran gets Gl tag: ‘Mircha’ rice of Bihar’s West Champaran has been awarded the
GI tag. The size and shape of the grain appear like that of black pepper, hence
it is known as Mircha or Marcha Rice. The grains and flakes of this rice have a
unique aroma that makes it different. This rice is famous for its aroma,
palatability and its aromatic chura (rice flakes) making qualities. An
application for GI tag was submitted on behalf of Marcha Dhan Utpadak
Pragatisheel Samuh, a registered organization of paddy cultivators.
7. Apple Inc. To Open Its First India Store in Mumbai: Apple iPhone maker’s first
company-owned store in the country will be opened in Mumbai. The store
will be named as Apple-BKC. The barricade of its first retail store in
India at Jio World Drive Mall, Mumbai officially marking the upcoming opening
of Apple BKC. The move comes at a time when the smartphone major is ramping up
plans to boost local manufacturing in a fillip to the Central government’s
‘Make in India’ initiative. The move is part of the company’s landmark move to
place big bets on the South Asian nation for everything from manufacturing to
sales.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government
approves the appointment of Kalikesh Singh Deo as NRAI president: The government of India has approved the appointment of NRAI's senior vice-president Kalikesh
Narayan Singh Deo as president of the National Rifle Association of India
(NRAI). According to the Sports Ministry directive, the heads
of national sports federations (NSFs) cannot hold office for more than 12
years as per the National Sports Code. The incumbent president of NRAI,
Raninder completed 12 years as president on December 29, 2022. NRAI
Headquarters: New Delhi
2. Aleksander
Ceferin re-elected UEFA president until 2027:
A Slovenian lawyer, Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected
unopposed as UEFA president for a four-year term (2023-27). He was elected
as the seventh president of UEFA in 2016 to replace Michel Platini, who
was banned from the football administration due to ethics violations. The UEFA
Champions League is an annual club football competition. It is organized by the
Union of European Football Associations and contested by top-division European
clubs.
3. World
Health Day 2023: April 7: World Health Day is celebrated every
year on April 7 to spread awareness about health-related issues that
affect people all over the world. On this day, World Health Organisation
(WHO) was founded in 1948 and this year marks the 75th founding
anniversary of WHO. This year, the theme for World Health Day is ‘Health
for All’. The theme highlights an opportunity for the world to look back at
public health successes that have helped improve the quality of life.
4. India & Bhutan plan to set up first Integrated
Check Post along border: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held a bilateral
meeting in New Delhi. Both the countries reviewed their bilateral ties focusing
on economic and development partnership, trade facilitation measures and
cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment, energy and new sectors
including space and startups. Both countries are examining and considering
setting up the first Integrated Check Post along the India-Bhutan border,
which would be near Jaigaon. India and Bhutan will also expedite the proposed
Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project through Govt. of India support.
5. Tsutsumu Otani appointed as Presiden of Honda motor: Japanese auto major Honda Motor Co
Ltd has appointed Tsutsumu Otani as the President, CEO & Managing
Director of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. He will succeed Atsushi
Ogata, who returns to Shanghai, China. He is currently the Vice President at
Honda Motor, Japan. He started his career with Honda Japan in 1997 and held
several leadership positions in the company.
6. 6 April – International Day of Sport for Development
and Peace (IDSDP): The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
(IDSDP) is observed annually on 6 April. It is observed to celebrate
the role of sports and physical activity in our individual lives and
communities across the globe. Theme 2023 – Scoring for People and the Planet The
United Nations General Assembly, during its 67th session, adopted resolution
67/296 on 23 August 2013, declaring 6 April as the International Day of Sport
for Development and Peace.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Dhoni, Yuvraj inducted with the MCC honorary life
membership: Former Indian cricket team captain, MS
Dhoni was named among the five Indians to have been inducted with
the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) honorary life membership. Other four
Indian Cricketers: Yuvraj Singh, Maithali Raj, Suresh Raina, and Jhulan Goswami
MS Dhoni had featured in 538 international games across formats, scoring over
17,000 runs during the same. Yuvraj Singh was an integral part of the Indian
team that won the first T20 World Cup in 2007. Also part of the 2011 winning
World Cup squad was Suresh Raina, who stitched together a crucial fifth-wicket
partnership with Yuvraj to knockout the defending champions in the
quarter-final
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. WTO:
Global trade expected to grow 1.7% in 2023:
According to the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, released by
the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the global merchandise trade
volume is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2023 as compared to an
earlier estimate of 1% in October 2022. It would be lower than 2.7% growth
in 2022. The expectation would be ‘subpar’ due to multiple factors,
including Russia-Ukraine conflict, high inflation, tighter monetary policy, and
financial uncertainty. WTO DG: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
2. FY23
bank credit growth highest since FY12, up 15%,: RBI data: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the Bank credit
rose by 15% year-on-year (YoY) in 2022-23 (FY23), against 9.6% YoY in
2021-22 (FY22). FY23 credit growth is the highest since 2011-12, when it
was 19.3%. Bank deposits expanded 9.58% YoY in FY23, against 8.9% YoY
growth seen in the previous financial year (FY22). The outstanding credit
stood at Rs 136.75 trillion at the end of the last fortnight of FY23
(March 24, 2023).
3. DigiPortfolio launches by DBS Bank India: DBS Bank India has launched a new investment solution called
‘digiPortfolio’, which uses technology and human expertise to provide
customized investment options for investors. The platform uses technology and
human expertise to curate a set of investment options customized by
Morningstar, which aligns with the risk preferences of different investors. The
platform provides an easy-to-use, one-stop solution for investors to put money
into ready-made baskets of mutual funds. DBS Bank India is among the first
banks in India to offer this digital solution, aiming to redefine the customer
experience by using advanced technologies like data and AI.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Dr.Nitya
Abraham awarded young urologist of the Year award: An
Indian-American physician and professor, Dr. Nitya Abraham was honored
with the Young Urologist of the Year Award by the American Urological
Association (AUA). She is an Associate Professor at Albert Einstein
College of Medicine and Program Director for the Montefiore Urology
residency program. Other honorees: Rena Malik, Jesse D. Sammon, Sarah Vij,
Alexander J.Ernest, Kerri Thurmon, Zachary Klaassen, and Yahir Santiago- Lastra
AUA HQ: Linthicum, Maryland
2. Delhi’s
Indira Gandhi Airport ranked 9th busiest in the world in 2022: According to the data shared by the Airports Council International
(ACI) World, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has
secured the ninth position in the list of the world's busiest airports in
2022. As per the data, this airport is handling 59.5 million passengers
annually. IGI Airport has improved its ranking from 2021 (13th). Top: Georgia’s
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (93.6 million passengers)
3. Ukranian President awarded Poland’s highest honour: Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has been awarded
the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest distinction, for his
services to security, resilience and the defense of human rights. The Order of
the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland,
awarded for great civil and military merits for the country. It is awarded to
the most eminent Poles and the highest-ranking representatives of foreign
countries. Zelenski received the award in recognition of his merits in
deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, for his activities for
security, and his steadfastness in defending human rights.
OBITUARIES
1. Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto passes away: Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto passed away at 56 in Chennai. He was the four-time JMM MLA from Dumri in the Giridih district, Jharkhand. He was also known as Tiger Mahto or Tiger Jagarnath Da. He was born on January 1, 1967, in the Alargo village of Bokaro District in Jharkhand and dropped out of high school and attended Nehru High School in 1995 before leaving his studies to pursue a career in politics.
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